Rustic, soothing, deeply aromatic comfort
This Homemade French Garlic Soup is one of those beautifully simple, rustic dishes that turns a few everyday ingredients into something warm, nourishing, and incredibly flavorful. Slow-simmered garlic becomes buttery-soft and mellow, creating a comforting broth perfect for chilly evenings or cozy at-home dinners. It’s budget-friendly, naturally immune-boosting, and comes together with minimal effort—ideal for busy cooks who still want a little French countryside charm in their bowl. With toasted bread and a sprinkle of cheese on top, this old-world soup becomes pure, soothing comfort you’ll want to make again and again.
⏱️ Time Breakdown
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Total Time: 40 minutes
- Servings: 4
📝 Ingredients List
- 3 whole garlic bulbs (about 25–30 cloves), peeled
- 2 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
- 4 cups chicken broth or vegetable broth
- 1 cup water
- 1 bay leaf
- ½ tsp dried thyme
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 2 eggs (for traditional French “liaison” thickening)
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar or white wine (optional)
- For serving: toasted baguette slices + shredded Gruyère or Parmesan
✨ Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
This recipe doesn’t require fancy gadgets, just a few reliable kitchen basics to keep everything simple and stress-free.
- Large soup pot or Dutch oven
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Measuring cups & spoons
- Ladle
- Small bowl (for whisking eggs)
- Wooden spoon or spatula
🥣 Step-by-Step Beginner-Friendly Instructions
- Sauté aromatics:
Heat butter and olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add sliced onion and cook 5 minutes until soft and lightly golden. - Add garlic:
Stir in all the peeled garlic cloves. Cook 3–4 minutes until fragrant but not browned. The garlic should smell sweet, not sharp. 🧄 - Simmer the broth:
Pour in the broth and water. Add bay leaf and thyme. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes until the garlic is very soft. - Blend slightly (optional):
For a smoother texture, mash some of the garlic with a spoon or blend half the soup with an immersion blender. Keep some chunks for rustic charm. - Thicken the traditional way:
Whisk the eggs in a small bowl. Slowly drizzle ½ cup of hot broth into the eggs while whisking to temper them.
Pour the warmed egg mixture back into the pot while stirring. The soup will become slightly silky and cloudy—classic French style. ✨ - Finish the flavor:
Add salt, pepper, and a splash of vinegar or wine to brighten the flavors. - Serve:
Ladle into bowls and top with toasted baguette slices and melted Gruyère or Parmesan. 😍
💡 Pro Tips
- Keep garlic mild: Simmer gently—boiling too hard can turn garlic bitter.
- Make it vegetarian: Use vegetable broth and skip the egg thickening if preferred.
- Boost richness: Add a splash of cream at the end for a more luxurious soup.
- Storage: Keeps well in the fridge up to 4 days; flavors deepen by day two. Freezes beautifully without the eggs added.